US Senate Elevates Israel's Status As 'Major Strategic Partner'

[Purveyor]

NEW YORK – An omnibus bill full of measures to improve the relationship between Israel and the United States has passed the US Senate, after being delayed since May.

The bill declares Israel a “major strategic partner” of the US; enhances Israel’s trade status to expedite export licensing; increases cooperation on energy, water engineering, research and development; and expands authority for forward-deployed US weapons stockpiles in the Jewish state.

But missing from the bill is action on an issue long encouraged by Israeli officials and their advocates on Capitol Hill – inclusion of Israel in the US visa-waiver program, which would allow smooth travel for Israelis.

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The declaration of Israel as a major strategic partner is an elevation from “major non-NATO ally,” Israel’s legal status as a US ally since 1988, and further binds the US executive to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.

more...

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/US-Senate-elevates-Israels-status-as-major-strategic-partner-375833

[yeoman6987]

1. They need all the help they can get from us

Glad we are stepping up to the plate. Every Senator but one voted for this (I believe)

[Kaleva]

2. The major non-Nato allies and major strategic partner lists

Major Non-Nato Allies

Argentina
Australia
Bahrain
Egypt
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Morocco
New Zealand
Pakistan
the Philippines
South Korea
Thailand

Major Strategic Partners

Israel

IMO, if Israel has been elevated to major strategic partner status, the same ought to be done to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and possibly South Korea.

[newfie11]

5. +1 Nt

[davidpdx]

7. As an American living in South Korea I absolutely agree with you

This is just another way Israel can milk us.

[Cha]

8. Absolutely, david.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. We have military bases in South Korea and Japan and are inextricably linked to their security...

[Man from Pickens]

3. Israel leveled I guess

or unlocked the "major strategic partner" achievement

Seriously, is there some established set of qualifiers in this? I've never heard of this term being used in an official capacity. Is there a level above "major strategic partner"? Are there "minor strategic partners"? Do we have "tactical partners"? Is there a big board somewhere where we can see where every country officially stands on the US partnership list?

[DetlefK]

4. The US is now an unbiased arbiter between a major strategic partner and a nation of poor refugees.

[cali]

6. I posted this yesterday. It got all of 2 responses.

but it's an important piece of news and I hope your op gets more attention.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

9. Shame.

[kelliekat44]

10. Damn, I first thought the OP title was "evaluates" not " elevates." nt

[kelliekat44]

11. The major strategic partner that has done more spying, sabotage, and political assassinations inside

and outside our borders. Great!

[sendero]

12. Wow..

... all you have to do to be a "major strategic partner" is take money and give lip.